Desert safaris in Dubai
A desert safari takes you out of the city to the dunes for an afternoon, a morning or a whole night. The tours below fall into two styles: fast 4x4 dune bashing in the Lahbab red dunes, or slower heritage drives in vintage Land Rovers inside the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. Every one of them includes pickup from Dubai.
At a glance
- Prices
- From AED 115 to AED 4,150, across 26 tours listed here. Desert Safaris price guide
- Price range
- From AED 312 to AED 795 per adult among the shared tours listed; the private night safari starts at AED 2,990 per vehicle
- Typical duration
- About 5 to 7 hours including transfers; the overnight trip lasts about 17 hours
- Time of day
- Afternoon into evening for most tours; one heritage safari runs early morning, 1 November to 30 April only
- Hotel pickup
- Included on all six tours listed
- Children
- OceanAir tours do not take children under 3; Platinum Heritage asks families with children under 5 to book a private car
We don’t sell tickets or tours. Prices and details come from the operators’ and venues’ own websites, with the date we checked them. How we work
Desert safaris compared (prices checked on the operators' websites, 29 September 2026)
| Tour | Style | Duration | Dune bashing | From (adult) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evening safari with BBQ dinner (OceanAir) | Shared 4x4, camp shows | About 7 hours | Yes, 30–45 min | AED 393 |
| Red dune quad biking with BBQ dinner (OceanAir) | Self-drive quad, camp shows | About 7 hours | No (1 hour of quad biking instead) | AED 312 (two per quad) |
| Overnight safari with private tent (OceanAir) | Shared 4x4, night at camp | About 17 hours | Yes, 30–45 min | AED 660 |
| Heritage safari in a vintage Land Rover (Platinum Heritage) | Nature drive, four-course dinner | About 7 hours | No | AED 795 |
| Heritage morning safari (Platinum Heritage) | Camel ride, Emirati breakfast | About 5 hours | No | AED 595 |
| Private night safari with astronomy (Platinum Heritage) | Private car and drive, shared camp | About 5 hours | No | AED 2,990 per vehicle |
What to expect
Most safaris collect you from your hotel in the afternoon. On OceanAir's trips, the drive to the Lahbab red dunes takes about 45 minutes, then the driver then takes the 4x4 over the sand for 30–45 minutes and you can try sandboarding. The evening ends at a desert camp with Arabic coffee and dates, a short camel ride, henna, a buffet dinner with BBQ and shows such as Yola dance and a fire show. See the evening safari with BBQ dinner for the full programme.
Platinum Heritage works differently. Its tours run inside the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, and instead of dune bashing you get a 60-minute nature drive in a vintage Land Rover with a guide who explains the plants, animals and Bedouin life. The heritage safari adds a falcon show at sunset and a four-course Emirati dinner at a camp limited to 75–100 guests.
How to choose
- You want speed and a full show: an evening 4x4 safari is the classic option.
- You want to drive yourself: the red dune quad biking tour swaps the 4x4 for one hour on a quad bike behind a guide.
- You prefer culture and a calmer pace: choose a heritage tour without dune bashing, in the evening or on the morning safari with Emirati breakfast (November to April only).
- You want a night in the desert: the overnight safari includes a private air-conditioned tent, a sunrise camel walk and breakfast.
- You want your own car and guide: the private night safari is priced per vehicle and ends with a telescope session; the camp and dinner are shared.
Check what the price covers. Quad bikes are an extra on OceanAir's 4x4 safaris, alcohol is not served on Platinum Heritage tours, and child rates and age limits differ between operators.
What to wear and bring
Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen, and wear comfortable closed shoes. Winter evenings and early mornings in the desert can be cool, so pack a warm layer between November and March. Leave luggage and large bags at your hotel. For the overnight trip, carry your passport or Emirates ID; a copy is accepted.
Safety
Dune bashing is bumpy. OceanAir says it is not suitable for pregnant travellers, people with back or heart problems or children under 3, and advises not eating for two to three hours beforehand. Platinum Heritage does not recommend its nature drive after the sixth month of pregnancy. Quad biking is ridden at your own risk: OceanAir asks riders to sign an indemnity form, says its insurance does not cover accidents and recommends travel insurance. Only riders aged 16 to 55 can take a single quad. OceanAir lists wheelchair users as not accepted on its safaris, so ask the operator before booking if you have limited mobility. All of these trips take place in the Dubai desert, well outside the city.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a desert safari in Dubai cost?
Among the shared tours listed here, prices start from AED 312 to AED 795 per adult, checked on the operators' own websites on 29 September 2026. A private night safari starts at AED 2,990 per vehicle.
Is there a desert safari without dune bashing?
Yes. Platinum Heritage runs its safaris in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve with a 60-minute nature drive in a vintage Land Rover instead of dune bashing.
Can I do a desert safari in the morning?
Yes. Platinum Heritage runs a five-hour morning safari with a camel ride and an Emirati breakfast, but only from 1 November to 30 April. Pickup is between 05:30 and 06:30.
Can pregnant travellers go on a desert safari?
OceanAir says its dune bashing and quad biking tours are not suitable for pregnant travellers. Platinum Heritage does not recommend its nature drive if you are more than six months pregnant.
Is dinner included?
On the evening and overnight tours listed here, yes: OceanAir serves a buffet with BBQ, and Platinum Heritage serves a three- or four-course dinner depending on the tour.